Netflix Subscribers Warned of Email Scam

Millions targeted in attempts to access credit card information

To protect yourself, go through Netflix's website if you need to update your account information. Don't click on an email link.

An apparent email scam has targeted 110 million Netflix subscribers in an attempt to steal their personal credit card information.

MailGuard, an Australian cybersecurity firm, said on its website that it detected the new phishing scam earlier this month and "stopped the malicious emails from entering our client’s in-boxes."

The well-designed emails came in the form of a blog post, informing subscribers of the streaming service that Netflix was “unable to validate your billing information for the next billing cycle of your subscription.”

The post referred them to a fake website, where they were asked to log in and enter personal information — including credit card numbers. The fake website included what appeared to be the Netflix logo.

The email had a few red flags. For example, the message came from “no sender,” and in some cases the name it was addressed to was “#name#." But, be warned — it won't always be that easy to spot. The #name# code is part of a newer scam to fool you. The fraudsters are trying to get the computer to insert your name, in an attempt to further trick you by personalizing the email.

In a statement, Netflix said the security of members’ accounts is something it takes seriously and that it “employs numerous proactive measures to detect fraudulent activity to keep the Netflix service and our members’ accounts secure.”

“If you’re unsure about a link in an email, you can always hover your cursor over the link,” the company advised, which allows a subscriber to see the real linked web address at the bottom of most browsers.

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